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Alex Cabrero ReportingThe election process is under close scrutiny in Utah's Daggett County. The Attorney General's office is investigating claims that hundreds of people who have registered to vote don't even live in the county.
No matter what town you live in, signs are probably everywhere. They are in tiny Daggett County, where this year's elections have created a big mess.
Linda Mecham, Manila: "It's not fair to me, and I don't think it's fair to anyone. I don't care which side you're on, it's not fair to anyone."
The issue is who's being allowed to vote. This year more people have registered than in years past, even though Daggett County's population has basically stayed the same. Many think it's to create a voting block, and in a county of only 900 some people, it would be enough to sway an election.
Vickie McKee: "The whole thing concerns me, and it has from the very beginning."
County Clerk Vickie McKee says it is a problem, but she's not allowed to check if someone registering to vote lives in the county.
Vickie McKee, Daggett County Clerk: "I got a call from the Lt. Governor's office, and I was told, ‘You can't do that. You can't require the people to give you this information.'"
Now there are more registered voters, some using the same address. One address used 14 times belongs to the father of the person running against the incumbent sheriff.
Rick Ellsworth, Sheriff Candidate: "My father shouldn't even be talked about in this situation."
Rick Ellsworth is trying to unseat Allen Campbell as sheriff. He says those using his father's address, even though they don't live in Daggett County, are family members who own property in the county and don't have a physical county address. He's just upset his father is being dragged into all this.
Rick Ellsworth: "Very upsetting to me, families are divided."
This example, and others, is why the attorney general's office is investigating what's become controversial politics in Daggett County.
Rod Bowen, Manila: "It's divided the county. It's pitted neighbor against neighbor."
The Attorney General's Office will release its findings once the investigation is over.
